Comcast nixed news from CN8. While Comcast is Philadelphia based, they have always had national aspirations, over really getting involved in Philadelphia local production (with exception of CSN). IMO, they may be better off dropping CN8, rather than funding a channel they really don't know what to do with. Anyways, they'd save an analog space, which could equate to more HD space or multiple digital channels. For overflow games, just make it available on a digital channel.
Verizon Fios just puts WGN on CH.8 and offers WGN HD too, and I don't think ppl really miss CN8.